Alan Pardew tips Newcastle's Hatem Ben Arfa for France squad

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew says Hatem Ben Arfa has "magic in his feet" and should be part of the France squad for this summer's European Championship.

Ben Arfa scored a glorious solo goal in the
2-0 win over Bolton,
finishing coolly after running from his own half.

Pardew said: "Sometimes you need that one player who has magic in his feet and that was a great goal.

"The French manager should take note and we [England] should take note if we come across him in the Championships."

Ben Arfa, 25, has won eight caps for his country but none since joining Newcastle in August 2010.

Pardew, whose side have moved fifth in the table and only away from a Champions League qualification place on goal difference, added: "It was a special, special goal and we needed a moment like that because Bolton were magnificent.

"He scored a similar goal in the FA Cup
[against Blackburn]
but he will get Premier League coverage for this one and he deserves it because he was magnificent.

"It was an individual goal that not many players could score. Not many players have been blessed with the talent that Hatem has.

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"But the scoreline flattered us because Bolton were very, very good today. They have been very good recently and they showed that. It was by no way a 2-0 victory."

Pardew has previously played down his side's chances of securing European football next season, but they are now level on points with Tottenham and just three points behind third-placed Arsenal.

"The last 10 games are the most important games of any season and we have been in there all year," Pardew added.

"We have been in the top six all year so there is no mystery that we are in there. But we have really hit some form at the right time and with five to go we will just give it a go.

"We are enjoying our football. It's a bit of fun for us at the minute, this Champions League stuff."

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